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Upstreaming Without Screaming...

Ok Ian thank you im sure come the 16th we will have some low clear water where i can conduct some experiments:rolleyes:
 
Great start to the new season three barbs bigggest just over 10llb all caught on my upstream rod, mainly due to this thread and Ian's excellent article. Many thanks to all :)
 
Yes im upstreaming with more confidence now, nice one Ian:)
 
One thing that concerns me with upstreaming, is the thought of the hooklink coming back with the flow and getting tangled in the main line. I like to use long hooklinks, so would I have to shorten them for upstreaming, or is it a case of having the rig away from the end of the rod tip, so the hooklink sits at about 90 degrees to the main line?
 
Rhys Perry said:
One thing that concerns me with upstreaming, is the thought of the hooklink coming back with the flow and getting tangled in the main line. I like to use long hooklinks, so would I have to shorten them for upstreaming, or is it a case of having the rig away from the end of the rod tip, so the hooklink sits at about 90 degrees to the main line?
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I thought that too Rhys, but it's never happened, i don't know about very long hooklenths i've never tried it, i reckon as long as you feather the cast you'd be ok, the only way to really find out is give it a go.

Ian.
 
David Pearce said:
Should I use a running lead or bolt rig for upstreaming? And what length hooklink???
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Hi David,

I use a running lead with a look link about 18", but you could use a bolt rig if you wish. The running rig acts in the same way when upstreaming, i.e barbel picks the bait up feels the resistance anyway.

Cheers, Paul
 
Hi David,
Yes Paul's right, use whatever you wish.
When using a bolt rig you wouldn't get a wrap round, just the nodding of the rod top as the fish dragged the lead downstream, unless of course it ran upstream, which i think has happened on occasion, it's very hard to tell sometimes, but i've definatley had them run downstream a few yards, and change their mind turned around and ran upstream, obviously something feel strange to them which confuses them as to which way they should run.
Bolt rigging would work fine though if you prefer it, like Paul says 18" is fine for a hooklength, thats roughly the length of mine, generally i use the same lengths as for downstreaming, so i'd say do the same as you do downstreaming and see what you're happy with.
There are no fixed rules with the method other than obviously the line goes upstream and you allow the flow to pin your line down, how much back towards you is again entirley up to you experiment and see what you're happy with.

Ian.
 
Ian, hope this doesn,t sound like a silly question. If the river is flowing right to left, and if you,ve let quite a bit of line off to pin it down. In which direction do you strike ? Upwards ? to the right ? Sorry if i sound like a numpty. Thank you.
 
I would strike in whichever way my rod would pick up the most line. So, if your bow of line is, lets say, at 10 o'clock (rod pointing to 12 o'clock) I would strike towards 4 o'clock. Remember your striking into the fish via your ledger. Hope this helps....and if it's wrong can someone put me right please!

(This is of course if the fish haven't already hooked themselves. When they have, all you have to do is to lift into them).
 
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Derek Funcks said:
Ian, hope this doesn,t sound like a silly question. If the river is flowing right to left, and if you,ve let quite a bit of line off to pin it down. In which direction do you strike ? Upwards ? to the right ? Sorry if i sound like a numpty. Thank you.
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Not a silly question Derek :)

In the first instance you dont strike, you wind down like mad until you meet solid resistance ( and having done that you probably already set the hook. )
i then not so much strike but firmly bend into the fish, in what direction you pull against the fish will depend on where the fish has got to by the time you make contact, which could be anywhere - it still might be upstream of you, it may be in front of you or even downstream of you, it depends on how far you were upstreaming away from your position, how fast the fish ran downstream or as sometimes happens it seems they can't make up their minds which way to run, once you make contact with the fish, your instinct will dictate which will be the best angle to strike, you'll find that bit will come naturally to you Derek.
I think initially at the point you pick your rod up, your initial reaction is to sweep the rod downstream, but that would depend also on the angle you prefer to keep your rod on the rests, for some it might even be an upward sweep, followed by fast winding the important thing is to make contact with the fish as fast as possible, but it will all come very instinctively, your brain just goes into automatic if you like.

Ian.
 
Exactly what I did Saturday, with the river well up loads of line on the bed a small bend in tip , exageratted by weed collecting on line, a few taps on rod , line moving, wound down small strike to make sure and hey presto fish on.
 
I had nearly all of my fish at the weekend fishing this way! First time i have ever "upstreamed" so i was overjoyed with the results - thanks for the tips lads.
 
Sorry to resurect an old thread but having read all the above I have one question...

As two of the main aims of the method are to increase sensitivity and reduce the "feel" of the lead to the fish upon mouthing the bait; should I use a quiver tip rather than an avon/specialist top? I'm guessing that you can use the heavier rod as by the time the angler sees the indication it's game over as far as 'Boris' is concerned?

Seriously cannot wait to give this a try.... Thanks for all the info chaps
 
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Your spot on with your assumption Ben, no finesse needed for Barbel so quiver tips are not really needed.
 
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